“Each of the seven chakras are governed by spiritual laws, principles of consciousness that we can use to cultivate greater harmony, happiness, and wellbeing in our lives and in the world.” – Deepak Chopra

In Sanskrit (an old Indo-Aryan language), chakra means “disc” or “wheel.” Each of these discs or wheels are spinning circles of energy that align along the human body. They can be considered open or closed, aligned or misaligned, or balanced or unbalanced. Each of these energy centers correspond to different parts of the body.

Merriam-Webster defines chakra as: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy, while GoogleDictionary defines it as: each of the centers of spiritual power in the human body, usually considered to be seven in number.

While some say there are a total of 114 chakras within the entire body, most only focus on 7-12 of these. Seven directly correspond within the body, while the other five correspond to energy outside of the human body. We will be focusing on the main seven chakras and how each one relates to certain body functions, needs, desires, and health.

In order to function properly, chakras need to be open (aligned, balanced) and free flowing. Any blockages can cause stagnation of the energy and creates emotional, physical and mental issues.

Chakra	Color	Location
Root	Red	Base of Spine
Sacral	Orange	Pelvis
Solar Plexus	Yellow	Stomach
Heart	Green	Chest
Throat	Blue	Neck
Third Eye	Purple	Forehead
Crown	Violet/White	Top of Head

Each one of these energy wheels is responsible from basic bodily functions to spiritual needs or desires, from the most base one of root chakra, to the most enlightened one of crown chakra.

Chakra	Location	Meaning	Needs/Desires
Root	Base of Spine	I exist	Safety, Security
Sacral	Pelvis	I desire	Passion, Sexuality
Solar Plexus	Stomach	I do	Courage, Confidence
Heart	Chest	I love	Relationships, Empathy
Throat	Neck	I express	Communication, Faith
Third Eye	Forehead	I see	Intuition, Insight
Crown	Top of Head	I understand	Spirituality, Universe

An interference of this energy flow can cause physical aliments, emotional disruptions or mental fog, and is often indicative of a blocked or low functioning chakra. Let’s review each one individually and dig deeper into what issues can arise and what we can do to improve the energy flow or “to balance” the chakra.

The Muladhara, or Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and rules the most basic of needs, such as survival, security and safety. When this chakra is balanced, we feel grounded, healthy, abundant and safe. When blocked, we are unable to release basic emotions such as fear, grief, sadness or guilt. Psychologically, we feel stuck, lonely, anxious, depressed, indecisive or phobic. Its imperative the root chakra is clear, otherwise it will impair the other six. Physical problems associated with hips, legs, knees, ankles, feet or lower digestive will often present itself. Activities that can help open this chakra can include ballet or tap dancing, running or doing squats. The yoga pose for opening this chakra is Warrior I.

The Svadhisthana, or Sacral chakra, is located in the pelvic area and rules pleasure, desire, passion and joy. When this chakra is balanced, we feel sexually satisfied, connected to other people, joyful, and attractive. When blocked, we feel a lack of energy, unmotivated for life, sex or exercise. Psychologically, we have a low libido, co-dependency issues, jealousy, and unbalanced emotions. Physical problems associated with the reproductive organs, kidneys, urinary tract infections and chronic lower back issues. Activities that can help open this chakra can include any dancing that includes movement of the pelvis, like Salsa or Bachata dancing. The yoga pose for opening this chakra is Half Pigeon.

The Manipura, or Solar Plexus chakra, is located in the stomach/diaphram area and rules our courage, confidence and personal power. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confident, able to manifest, and willing to take risks. When blocked, we feel stressed and powerless, unable to gain control, and mentally or physically exhausted. Psychologically, we have difficulty listening to our gut instinct, poor concentration and memory. Physical problems are associated with indigestion, digestive issues, eating disorders, poor metabolism, bloated belly, and diabetes. Activities that can help open this chakra can include belly dancing, or Argentine Tango, which requires contra twisting at the waist. The yoga pose for opening this chakra is Boat Pose.

Anahata, or the Heart chakra, is located in the chest area and rules our relationships with others and with ourselves, empathy and emotional healing. When this chakra is balanced, we feel love, compassion, trust and forgiveness. When blocked, we feel disconnected, self-loathing and hopeless. Psychologically, we are detached, uncommitted, vengeful, unfaithful, and distrustful. Physical problems can include heart problems, asthma, respiratory distress, shoulder and upper back pain, and pneumonia. Activities to help open this chakra can include modern dance, swimming, or push ups. The yoga pose for opening up this chakra is Camel pose.

Vishuddha, or the Throat chakra, is located in the neck area and rules communication, self-expression, and responsibility. When this chakra is balanced, we are able to communicate clearly with others, we speak well of ourselves, and are able to express our thoughts and feelings. When blocked, we feel unable to express emotion, thoughts or ideas, lack of belief in our creativity and unable to take accountability for our actions. Psychologically, we are isolated, nervous, anxious and fearful. Physical problems can be neck problems, sore throat, constant tickle or clearing of the throat, voice loss, jaw pain, sinus issues and thyroid problems. Activities that can help open this chakra can include singing, gargling with saltwater or screaming out where no one can hear. The yoga pose for opening up this chakra is Fish Pose.

Ajna, or the Third Eye chakra, is located on the forehead and rules psychic energy, ideas, thoughts, dreams, and higher intuition. When this chakra is balanced, we are able to process our thoughts clearly, hear our higher self, remember and interpret our dreams, and cultivate psychic tendencies. When blocked, we feel stuck intellectually, confused, clouded, and closed to new ideas. Psychologically, we can be prone to seizures, neurological issues, nightmares, personality disorders and learning difficulties. Physical problems can include headaches or migraines, eye problems, ear problems and scalp or hair issues. Activities that can help open this chakra up can include visualization or create a vision board, lucid dreaming and remote viewing. The yoga pose for opening this chakra is Child’s Pose.

Sahasrara, or the Crown chakra is located on the top of the head and rules spirituality, enlightenment, ascension, and connection to the divine. When this chakra is balanced, we feel a connection to god, source, universe and the collective. When blocked, we feel disconnected, with no path or purpose, lost and alone. Psychologically, we feel depressed, confused, faithless, and incomplete. Physical problems can include light sensitivity, dementia, and autoimmune disorders. Activities that can help open up this chakra are prayer and meditation. The yoga pose for opening this chakra is the Headstand.

At some point, I have experienced low functioning to completely closed chakras, sometimes multiple ones at a time. When my root chakra is impaired, I feel low functioning of the other six as well. Most of the time, for me, these were connected to acute traumas, but a couple times it was from chronic lack of self-care on my own part.

The four times I experienced massive stress and worry regarding my security and safety (root), I had two acute foot injuries and two acute knee injuries right in the middle of those episodes. When my husband, at the time, had an affair on me, where I felt “less than” sexually (sacral), I developed heavy, extended periods, an urinary tract infection and chronic lower back pain. The three times I experienced shocking betrayal and lost my confidence and courage (solar plexus), I developed either digestive issues, or rapid weight gain around the middle torso area. Every time I got my heart broken (heart), I got heart palpitations and chest pain. When I got into intense relationships were I feel I can’t speak my truth (throat), I developed a chronic, irritated cough and muscle knots in my neck (usually right side). When I have been hit a hard blow and am unable to hold faith in my beliefs (third eye), I developed sinus headaches, my nose bleeds increase drastically, and my hair gets thinner. Whenever I feel lost and alone and not connected (crown), I feel sharp shooting pains throughout my scalp.

It took almost my entire life to see the patterns of my thoughts and feelings, and how they related to physical and emotional issues and how they could easily become I repeating cycle. There are times when all my chakras are in good working order and my body and emotions are in a state of bliss. I take these moments to heart and do not take them for granted.

What works for me is getting a pendulum reading to determine which ones are impaired or not aligned, and then to receive a Reiki energy treatment to help flush the energy through my body again. This must be combined with actively acknowledging what the cause of the impairment is to clear it out, otherwise it will just become misaligned again in a couple days.

I have to actively work on a regular basis to keep them open and flowing, for life just keeps happening and in order to handle all those curve balls well, we must be in a free flowing state of energy.

If you are interested in receiving a pendulum reading and Reiki treatment, please contact Gina Zane.

Thank you for reading. xoxo